For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

My wife and I used to pick apples in the orchard on the McCurdy High School campus a number of years ago. Of course, many of the best-looking apples, with no holes from worms or birds, were located in precarious positions high up in the tree since all the ones close to the ground had already been picked. The trunk of the tree was quite sturdy and easy to climb, but I had to go out on a limb to get the good apples.

As I was jockeying for the safest position on the tiny branches to reach the good apples, one thought that crossed my mind (other than falling) was that Jesus demonstrated His love for you and me when He was laid out on a limb: the cross. I am thankful that Jesus did not choose the safe position, nor did He die just for what you and I consider to be the "good" apples.

Are you willing to go out on a limb so that others know that God loves them?

Father, please give us courage to dangle ourselves on your limbs in order to reach out to others. Graft us into your sturdy trunk so that we are not easily fallen. Amen.